Breakfast trends in children and adolescents: frequency and quality

AbstractObjectiveAlthough breakfast is important for obesity prevention and dietary quality, breakfast skipping is a common behaviour. Knowledge of changes in breakfast habits may provide potential behaviour targets for intervention programmes. The present study describes the actual data on trends in breakfast habits and composition.DesignA total of 7800 3 d dietary records of 1081 participants aged 2–18 years collected between 1986 and 2007 in the DONALD (Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed) Study were analysed using mixed linear models.ResultsBreakfast was eaten at 78 % of all record days; regular breakfast (breakfast was eaten on all three recorded weekdays) was eaten in 75 % of records. During the study period, the number of records with regular breakfast decreased significantly in 6–12- and 13–18-year-olds (P= 0·0084 and 0·0350, respectively). Of all breakfast meals, 62 % were bread meals and 21 % were ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) meals. RTEC meals nearly doubled from the youngest to the oldest age group (P< 0·0001). During the study period, the percentage of bread meals decreased, whereas the percentage of RTEC meals increased (P< 0·0001). A higher percentage of RTEC meals than the bread meals was in accordance with the food-based guidelines (36 %v. 20 %,P< 0·0001), i.e. a breakfast including grain, dairy and fruit/vegetables.ConclusionsIn the DONALD Study sample, a negative age and time trend in breakfast consumption was verified. Interventions regarding breakfast habits should be aimed at adolescents and should focus on fruit/vegetables.

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Assessment of Breakfast Consumption on Nutritional Adequacy among School-going Children in India

Asian Journal of Dairy and Food Research ◽

10.18805/ajdfr.dr-1589 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nataraj A. Durgannavar ◽

D. Vijayalakshmi

Keyword(s):

School Children ◽

Private School ◽

Dietary Quality ◽

Consumption Pattern ◽

Age Group ◽

Nutritional Adequacy ◽

Government School ◽

Breakfast Consumption ◽

Growing Period ◽

Breakfast Skipping

Background: Children of school going age constitute a highly vulnerable and important group. During their growing period, all the nutrients should be included in their diet. Breakfast provides important nutrients for growing children. Skipping breakfast among school children is erratic. Therefore, the study was undertaken to assess the role of breakfast consumption affecting nutritional adequacy among schoolchildren. Methods: During the period 2015-2016, total of 200 school children in the age group of 10-12 years studying in government and private schools of North Bengaluru, Karnataka were selected through random sampling techniques. The breakfast consumption pattern was assessed using questionnaire. Dietary intake in terms of food and nutrients was assessed through 24 hours recall method. To measure adequacy of nutrient consumption, the obtained data was compared with recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for specific age group. Result: Gender wise segregation revealed that 109 were boys (54.5%) and 91 were girls (45.5%). The breakfast skipping was found more in the children of government school compared to private school (73% vs. 37%). When compared with the breakfast consumers, skippers had lower mean intake of all the nutrients studied. Similar results were observed among girls as in boys. The study provided new information on specific meal pattern i.e., breakfast that may be potential determinant of dietary adequacy and dietary quality.

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A systematic review of interventions to increase breakfast consumption: a socio-cognitive perspective

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021000070 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Jessica A Harris ◽

Julia E Carins ◽

Sharyn Rundle-Thiele

Keyword(s):

Empirical Studies ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Target Population ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Dietary Quality ◽

Entire Study ◽

Breakfast Consumption ◽

Breakfast Skipping ◽

Breakfast Eating ◽

Theory Use

Abstract Objective: Regular breakfast skipping is related to unhealthy dietary behaviours, such as consuming an overall poorer quality diet and lower rates of physical activity, both of which are linked to a higher BMI. Adolescent breakfast skippers struggle with mental focus, sleep issues and lower grades. Solutions that can be implemented to overcome breakfast skipping are needed. Design: A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify programmes that aimed to increase breakfast eating. Following the PRISMA framework, studies were sourced to examine details of behaviour change, evidence of theory use and other important programme learnings and outcomes. Setting: Breakfast consumption empirical studies published from 2000 onwards. Participants: Nineteen empirical studies that aimed to improve breakfast eating behaviour. Results: Out of the nineteen studies examined, ten studies reported an increase in breakfast consumption frequency for the entire study group or subgroups. Seven studies found no change, one was inconclusive and one observed a decrease in breakfast frequency. Positive changes to the dietary quality of breakfast were observed in five of the studies that did not observe increased frequency of breakfast consumption. Only six studies reported using theory in the intervention. Conclusions: This evidence review points needed to extend theory application to establish a reliable evidence base that can be followed by practitioners seeking to increase breakfast eating rates in their target population.

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